Statutory language: §48-0105. Permanent environmental justice advisory group.
Public Contact
NYSDEC
Office of Environmental Justice
625 Broadway, 3rd Floor
Albany, NY 12233-1500
518-402-8556
[email protected]
Purpose
§48-0107. Powers and duties.
The advisory group shall have the power and duty to:
- Adopt a model environmental justice policy applicable generally to state agencies that engage in activities or operations that may have a significant effect on the environment, including but not limited to through the adoption of rules and regulations, issuance of permits, acquisition or maintenance of property, or approval, funding or undertaking of projects;
- Make recommendations to the governor, legislature and state agencies on measures to improve such policies;
- Provide comments on any proposed rule, regulation or policy of a state or federal agency related to environmental justice;
- Conduct public hearings with respect to any matter within the scope of its functions, powers and duties; and
- Adopt, amend and repeal by-laws governing its organization and operation.
Members
The permanent environmental justice advisory group consists of sixteen members, as follows:
(a) Five members shall be representatives of community-based organizations that advise or assist minority and low-income communities on environmental matters; and
(b) Four members shall be representatives of businesses that hold state-issued permits or otherwise operate subject to this chapter.
(c) One of the members appointed pursuant to each of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and one of the members appointed pursuant to each of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly. One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate and one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. The remaining members shall be representatives of state or national organizations promoting environmental conservation, researchers, educators and members of the general public. The other members appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall be appointed by the governor. The replacement of any member shall be in accordance with the provisions contained in this section for appointment of members.
PEJAG Member Information
Nominating Authority | Member | Organization | County | Last Appointed | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Annel Hernandez | NYC Council & Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs & Climate School | Kings | 1/20/2022 | 1/19/2026 |
| Governor | Mychal Johnson | South Bronx Unite | Bronx | 2/24/2023 | 3/23/2027 |
| Governor | Ellen Theg | Groundwork Hudson Valley | Westchester | 9/26/25 | 9/26/29 |
| Governor | Shorna Allred | Cornell University, Department of Global Development | Tompkins | 5/5/2021 | 5/4/2025 |
| Governor | Neil Patterson Jr. | SUNY ESF, Center for Native Peoples and the Environment | Onondaga | 5/5/2021 | 5/4/2025 |
| Governor | Aaron Mair | Hudson River Sloop Clearwater & Arbor Hill Development Corporation | Albany | 5/5/21 | 5/5/25 |
| Governor | Rev. Kahli Mootoo | The 400 Foundation | New York | 9/28/22 | 9/28/26 |
| Governor | Peggy Shepard | WE ACT | New York | 5/5/21 | 5/4/25 |
| Temporary President of the Senate | Raya Salter | Energy Justice Law & Policy Center | Westchester | 10/30/25 | 10/29/29 |
| Temporary President of the Senate | Mark Hoffman | Ecobat | 10/30/25 | 10/29/29 | |
| Speaker of the Assembly | R. Maxwell Anderson | Open Buffalo | Erie | 2/10/26 | 2/10/30 |
| Speaker of the Assembly | Stephanie Sunico | National Grid | 2/10/26 | 2/10/30 | |
| Governor | VACANT | ||||
| Governor | VACANT | ||||
| Minority Leader of the Assembly | VACANT | ||||
| Minority Leader of the Senate | VACANT |
Vacancies, Expired Terms, Terms Expiring Within One Year
See chart above
Process for Filling Vacancies
Each member of the advisory group shall serve for a term of four years or until his or her successor is appointed. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the term of the member he or she is appointed to succeed.
Member Compensation
The members of the advisory group shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas
The advisory group shall meet as frequently as necessary, but not less than three times per year. Such meetings shall be held at such locations as the advisory group may determine. All such meetings shall be subject to the open meetings law. At least one meeting annually shall be held jointly with the environmental justice interagency coordinating council.
